Event Types: Public

On March 19, 2026, SEDE members are invited to a webinar with Michael Aikens and Andrea Kruszka of Tennessee Tech University’s Center for Rural Innovation. Drawing on their extensive experience working at the intersection of universities, rural communities, and state partners, they will explain the role of the University Economic Development Association (UEDA), how it supports state economic development priorities, and where SEDE members can engage with and benefit from the UEDA network.

Michael Aikens, currently serving as Acting Vice President for the Office of Research and Economic Development, as well as Assistant Vice President for Economic Development at Tennessee Tech University, directs the Center for Rural Innovation (TCRI) and chairs the Rural Reimagined Grand Challenge. Under his leadership, TCRI has driven over 1,000 rural projects, supported 1,500 small businesses, retained 800 jobs, and analyzed $2.5 billion in investments. Aikens’ rural work spans applied research, technical assistance, small business development, tourism, economic impact analysis, energy, critical infrastructure, poverty alleviation, and more. He hosts the PBS television series “It’s Your Business,” now in it’s fifth season. He also leads the student Eagle Works Innovation & Entrepreneurship program and supports faculty commercialization initiatives. He holds a PhD and a master’s in leadership and actively gives back to his community through various volunteer initiatives, including serving as a trustee on the Upper Cumberland Broadcast Council, a member of the Tennessee Small Business Development State Advisory Board, and chairing the Caney Fork & Eagle Scout Board of Review.

Andrea Kruszka is the Director of Strategy & Engagement for the Center for Rural Innovation (TCRI) at Tennessee Tech University. She leads TCRI’s Rural Tourism Initative providing branding services, small business technical assistance, and economic impact studies to rural communities across the state of Tennessee. Since the initiative began in 2019, Kruszka has spearheaded efforts on over 20 destination branding projects and managed technical assistance for over 75 tourism-related small businesses, working with seven distressed and fifteen at-risk areas. In addition to rural tourism, Kruszka directs student innovation & entrepreneurship activities on campus. She holds a masters of professional studies with a concentration in media and strategic communication, and is a certified Travel Marketing Professional through Southeast Tourism Society’s Marketing College program.

Join a timely, expert-led conversation focused on how state and regional leaders are responding to the updated Opportunity Zone Program and what those insights mean for policy, planning, and practice.

This webinar brings together four respected voices working at the intersection of economic research, data analysis, and applied regional strategy. These experts will share information about the previous Opportunities Zones iteration, what to expect from 2.0, and how state incentives can shape outcomes.

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Webinar Speakers:

• Ellen Harpel President Business Development Advisors and Founder Smart Incentives
• Kenan Fikri Senior Fellow Economic Innovation Group  
• Brady Meixell Senior Research Associate Urban Institute
• Maia Berlow Associate Director of State and Local Government Affairs Urban Institute    

Join us for a discussion on innovative strategies to build, attract, and retain talent in rural communities. This webinar brings together three experts who will provide actionable solutions for overcoming rural workforce challenges.

Featured Speakers:

• Lisa Miller, Director of Partnership and Engagement at Michigan’s Office of Rural Prosperity within the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.
• Julianne Dunn, Senior Program Officer for Workforce and Financial Prosperity at the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) in Kansas City.
• Stephanie Norris, Associate Director of the Community College Initiative and Senior Research Analyst at the Richmond Fed.

Whether you’re a state economic development executive, policy director, program manager, or regional development specialist, this webinar will provide you with strategic frameworks and practical approaches to enhance your state’s rural workforce initiatives.

Watch the recorded session here.

Join the SEDE Network in this webinar on housing supply and economic development. This webinar will equip economic development leaders with the knowledge and tools needed to address housing shortages in their regions, ultimately supporting economic growth and community prosperity. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with our speakers during a Q&A session following the presentations.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from industry experts and connect with peers facing similar challenges. Register now to secure your spot in this informative session on boosting housing supply and driving economic development!

Speakers:

Maurice Harris is the Research Manager for Transwestern’s Minneapolis office. Maurice provides in-depth analysis and insights on a range of real estate, demographic, and labor data to the firm’s brokers and clients. Maurice is also the national research lead for the Retail Services Team, producing a range of research products to provide insight on the retail industry for Transwestern.

Eric Lynch, CBE, is an economist in the survey research group for NAHB where he is responsible for conducting and assisting with surveys, including multifamily, remodeling, and other related housing topics. In addition, he provides data and information on housing topics related issues to NAHB members, staff, financial institutions, and other stakeholders. Prior to joining NAHB, he worked as a senior associate in the research and knowledge department at the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), gaining industry knowledge on the built environment and residential market.

Join the SEDE Network for this webinar on the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in economic development. This presentation from Jeff DeBellis and Maggie Smith from the North Carolina Department of Commerce and Erik Vasilauskas from the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, will cover general trends and specific applications of AI in economic development.

Erik Vasilauskas is a Research Analyst at the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research

Jeff DeBellis is the Director of Economic & Policy Analysis in the NC Department of Commerce’s Labor & Economic Analysis Division

Maggie Smith is a Research Analyst at the NC Department of Commerce

Webinar Materials

The recording of this webinar is available to watch here.

The slide deck from North Carolina Commerce is available here.

The slide deck from The W.E. Upjohn Institute is available here.

The results from the in-webinar poll are available here.